pistons
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Sorry to hear about the issue. This kind of issue is generally not a mileage issue. Did the mechanic that told you this tell you why you needed new pistons? Much of it depends on how the car was taken care of/serviced. I believe that you bought this vehicle about a year and a half ago. When you bought it, did you have a car fax or any kind of service record from the previous owner(s)? Did you check the Honda Owners site for any service record? Did you have a trusted mechanic look over the vehicle to see what if any issues or pending issues that might need to be addressed then or in the future. Have you been keeping up on the recommended service?
As for the price quoted, without knowing exactly what is to be done/replaced it is hard to tell if that is a reasonable price or not.
As for the price quoted, without knowing exactly what is to be done/replaced it is hard to tell if that is a reasonable price or not.
I took it to the dealership bc I had several lights come on. The car runs fine, so I thought it was a sensor. I was in shock that 3 of the piston rings and other engine things needed to be replaced!
I wouldn't do that just yet.
I'd do a long piston soak to try to free the rings.
Then I'd disable the VCM.
I'd do a long piston soak to try to free the rings.
Then I'd disable the VCM.
I bought this car in 2017. It was well cared for...a real beauty with every horn and whistle you can want. I'm fastidious about maintenance and keep meticulous records. I always go to the dealership for anything I need done. I've gone by the book as suggested by the dealership.
I am just floored. I don't want another car...I love this car. But, 5K? zowee
Piston Rings Replace labor $2940, part $900. Spark Plugs labor $126, parts $220. Valves w/Gaskets adjust labor $588, parts $340.
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The spark plugs shouldn't cost that much at all. I'm sure they'll already have to remove the spark plugs when they do piston rings, so labor should cost much less, if anything. Also not to mention that 6 spark plugs don't cost $220.
If no engine light, my exact plan would be, while my S-VCM was on order..,
- Have a clean air filter.
- Intake hose clamps are tight. Seen this left loose by dealership before.
- Clean MAF with CRC Electronic Cleaner or MAF Cleaner.
- Replace spark plugs using NGK Laser Iridiums
- Replace PCV valve.
- Use a Top Tier 87 octane fuel only.
- Install S-VCM
- Get on the Highway for some long high speed drives so those before mostly inactive cylinders can burn off the oil deposits.
- If I still felt there was a problem, I'd do a piston soak.
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EXACT same thing just happened to me at only 83,000 miles. I think that this really does have something to do with the recall of previous years. I see your post is from a while ago. Any outcome?
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that's where my odometer is at too,, just to be safe i'm going to schedule new plugs with my next oil change
Hmm. Any oil-fouled or -coked plugs are a result of the oil getting past the piston rings, not the cause. I'm not suggesting that you don't change the plugs, just saying that you should be looking at the plugs to see symptoms of the oil issues before they get too serious. If you haven't already, invest in one of the VCM defeat devices to at least slow the progression of the piston and ring issues.
The guidance the Nail Grease shares above in post 9 is pretty comprehensive. It's also most effective when you actually perform all the steps he recommends. Because the failure can be really expensive and inconvenient, get to work on those list items now before conditions get even worse.
ACANA, there are several good threads on the piston ring issues and their relationship with the VCM system. Variable Cylinder Management is Honda's way of trying to save a little fuel by disabling cylinders under certain low-load driving conditions. A side effect is that disabled cylinders end up with a little extra oil in them, and when the cylinder is reactivated, that oil ends up burning and potentially damaging the pistons. It's a self-reinforcing condition over time, as coke and ash from the burned oil ends up clogging the piston rings, and even more oil is drawn in to VCM-disabled cylinders and pistons.
Many have been able to reduce the effects of VCM damage by following the steps that member Nail Grease listed in post 9 in this thread.
On top of the things he lists there, I'd add changing the oil to a good full-synthetic (not a 'synthetic blend'), and plan on that for the rest of the car's life. The engine management system sets all those alarms when burned oil has caused some of the spark plugs to foul. A good full-synthetic oil is much less likely to cause detonation and the coking that's fouling the spark plugs. In addition, they tend to have much higher detergent levels, sometimes helping remove some of the coking that's fouling the rings on the VCM'd pistons. So, new spark plugs and synthetic oil right away. That will allow you to clear the failure codes, but you really need to disable that VCM system right away to at stop the damage progression...
Disabling the VCM system to stop further damage is critical. The S-VCM device included on that list seems to be the current favorite device. If you are at all handy with basic tools and can follow directions, you can install it yourself in a matter of a few minutes. Your dealer will NOT install it for you, but a good independent shop should be able to do it for you. A little searching will find it for sale.
Share back the results you see.
The guidance the Nail Grease shares above in post 9 is pretty comprehensive. It's also most effective when you actually perform all the steps he recommends. Because the failure can be really expensive and inconvenient, get to work on those list items now before conditions get even worse.
ACANA, there are several good threads on the piston ring issues and their relationship with the VCM system. Variable Cylinder Management is Honda's way of trying to save a little fuel by disabling cylinders under certain low-load driving conditions. A side effect is that disabled cylinders end up with a little extra oil in them, and when the cylinder is reactivated, that oil ends up burning and potentially damaging the pistons. It's a self-reinforcing condition over time, as coke and ash from the burned oil ends up clogging the piston rings, and even more oil is drawn in to VCM-disabled cylinders and pistons.
Many have been able to reduce the effects of VCM damage by following the steps that member Nail Grease listed in post 9 in this thread.
On top of the things he lists there, I'd add changing the oil to a good full-synthetic (not a 'synthetic blend'), and plan on that for the rest of the car's life. The engine management system sets all those alarms when burned oil has caused some of the spark plugs to foul. A good full-synthetic oil is much less likely to cause detonation and the coking that's fouling the spark plugs. In addition, they tend to have much higher detergent levels, sometimes helping remove some of the coking that's fouling the rings on the VCM'd pistons. So, new spark plugs and synthetic oil right away. That will allow you to clear the failure codes, but you really need to disable that VCM system right away to at stop the damage progression...
Disabling the VCM system to stop further damage is critical. The S-VCM device included on that list seems to be the current favorite device. If you are at all handy with basic tools and can follow directions, you can install it yourself in a matter of a few minutes. Your dealer will NOT install it for you, but a good independent shop should be able to do it for you. A little searching will find it for sale.
Share back the results you see.
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